David: Mephibosheth & Ziba

2 SAMUEL 16:1-4 & 19:24-30

We return to the time when David was fleeing Jerusalem concerned that the rebellion led by Absalom would bring war to the holy city.

David and his followers have just passed the top of the Mount of Olives where he is met by Ziba, the man whom David had commanded to oversee the estate of Saul, granted by David to Saul's only surviving heir, Mephibosheth. David had made this grant to fulfill the oath he had made to Jonathan and had further taken Mephibosheth into his own house, treating him as a son.

Ziba now openly acts in deceit and treachery by bringing provisions to David for the journey ahead. When David asked where his employer Mephibosheth was, Ziba lies and tells David he has remained behind in Jerusalem, hoping to regain the throne for himself. On the basis of this account, all of which is untrue, David now grants all the estate of Saul, which had been given to Mephibosheth, over to Ziba.

Later, when Mephibosheth appears, some time had passed as he was lame since childhood, and moved with difficulty. When he tells David the truth, which is the opposite of Ziba's tale, David advises he has come to a decision and that the two men will share the estate. David has given both men the benefit of any doubt, and tried to arrange an accommodation that will reconcile the situation.

But now Mephibosheth tells David to allow Ziba to keep the entire estate and that he himself is content to remain in David’s court, in exactly the position David had graciously given him previously.

Mephibosheth displays humility, gratitude, and forgiveness, not seeking revenge against Ziba. These are the attributes that the gospel of Jesus Christ commands in those who follow him. Mephibosheth was fully aware that he was due a death sentence from David, but was saved from death by the grace David granted. Here the lesson is David shown as a type of Jesus, bringing one crippled and deserving death close to himself, preparing a seat at his table, and meeting his every need, asking nothing in return except faith.

Mephibosheth understood that he was undeserving of the new life given him and that it had been granted solely by grace and he showed that he was content simply to live within the life granted, unconcerned about worldly possessions.

MAY EACH OF US SEEK TO BECOME MORE LIKE MEPHIBOSHETH.